On the night of July 15, 2021, authorities in Rolla, Missouri, responded to a violent disturbance at the Stately Mansions Mobile Home Park located in the 11000 block of Highway 72. The incident involved 35-year-old male Michael Jonathan Schmitt, who resided at the location. Reports indicate that the confrontation began when a vehicle arrived at a trailer within the park; the driver was reportedly there to confront an individual involved in a prior alleged assault. When no one answered the door, the driver remained in his vehicle outside the residence, repeatedly honking the horn.
Schmitt subsequently arrived at his home and encountered the driver, later identified as a suspect. A verbal altercation ensued as Schmitt requested the individual to leave the property multiple times. When the driver refused to depart, Schmitt allegedly retrieved a metal pipe and threatened to strike the suspect's vehicle if he did not vacate the premises.
In response, the driver produced a firearm and discharged a single round through the windshield of the car, striking Schmitt in the head. The shooter then fled the scene in his vehicle while emergency services were notified.
Law enforcement officers dispatched to the scene at approximately 11:25 p.m. found Schmitt seriously wounded. He was transported to Phelps Health, where he was pronounced deceased by Coroner Ernie Coverdell; the cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound. Following an investigation by the Phelps County Sheriff's Department and other local agencies, officers located the suspect's vehicle in the 10000 block of County Road 2060. Matthew A. Reeves, a 32-year-old resident of Rolla, was taken into custody without incident.
Prosecutors formally charged Reeves with first-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of armed criminal action. While he was initially arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, the charges were upgraded based on the evidence presented in court documents. Following his arrest, Reeves was incarcerated in the Phelps County Jail with no bond issued, pending further legal proceedings regarding the fatal shooting.
